Podcast · Arts & Books

Sarah's Bookshelves Live

by Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves · English · Arts & Books

Sarah's Bookshelves Live is a bi-weekly show featuring real talk about books and book recommendations from a featured guest. Each week, Sarah of the blog Sarah's Bookshelves will talk with her guest about: - 2 OLD BOOKS THEY LOVE - 2 NEW BOOKS THEY LOVE - 1 BOOK THEY DON'T LOVE - AND 1 NEW RELEASE

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 53 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 50 minNew

Deesha Philyaw (Author of The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman) | Ep. 237

Author Deesha Philyaw joins Sarah to discuss her debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman . Deesha first started writing this book more than 20 years ago, before her short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies , became a National Book Award finalist. She shares the journey of bringing this novel to life, the women who inspired its characters, and how the story (and its author) evolved along the way. Plus, Deesha shares her top book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E236 · 30 Sep 2026 · 46 min
Best of Historical Fiction with Elizabeth Barnhill | Ep. 236
Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop joins Sarah for the latest installment of the "Best of…" series to share her ALL-TIME TOP TEN historical fiction novels, plus a few popular picks that didn't work for her. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Elizabeth shares her personal definition of historical fiction. How she first found her way to the genre. What draws her to historical fiction and keeps her coming back to it. What works for her in…
E235 · 16 Sep 2026 · 54 min
The BIG Books Episode with Chrissie Whitley | Ep. 235
Sarah and Chrissie ( @ChrissieWhitley ) dig into their very different relationships with big books, from what counts as "big" and knowing when the moment is right to what makes a long book worth the extra pages. They also share some of their favorite big books — and a few they wish had been shorter. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Where Sarah and Chrissie each draw the line between a regular book and a big book. Is a 700-page book…
E234 · 2 Sep 2026 · 55 min
Fall 2026 Book Preview with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 234
Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books are back with 16 of their most anticipated books publishing from mid-August through December. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Want More Book Preview Picks? Paid members of our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both $7/month with the same member benefits) get even more seasonal recommendations with Book Preview Extras ! In each episode, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 additional books…
E233 · 26 Aug 2026 · 46 min
Summer 2026 Circle Back with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 233
Sarah and Catherine circle back to the 12 new releases they shared in the Summer 2026 Book Preview , now that they've read them — or at least tried to! Find out which books worked, which didn't, and whether their most anticipated summer reads lived up to expectations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Want More Book Preview Picks? Paid members of our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both $7/month with the same member benefits) get even…
E232 · 19 Aug 2026 · 52 min
2026 Micro Genres with Anderson McKean | Ep. 232
In Episode 232, Sarah is joined by returning guest Anderson McKean of Page & Palette Bookstore for the 2026 edition of Micro Genres! Each year, this series gives us a chance to niche down even further into the kinds of books we love — spotlighting those very specific sub-sub-genres that capture a particular reading taste. This year, Sarah and Anderson have 10 all-new Micro Genres to share, along with standout books for each. With more than 80 books mentioned, you're bound to find a few new additions to your TBR — and maybe recognize a Micro Genre or two of your own. This post contains…
E231 · 5 Aug 2026 · 53 min
Inside Amazon's Best Books of 2026 So Far List | Ep. 231
In Episode 231, Al Woodworth (Amazon Senior Editor) returns to the show to discuss Amazon's Best Books of 2026 So Far . They break down this year's list, discuss the books that rose to the top, and explore how the Amazon Books editorial team selected, debated, and ultimately ranked this year's Top 20. Plus, Al shares her personal book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Al shares the defining characteristics of Amazon's Best…
E230 · 22 Jul 2026 · 51 min
Kevin Hazzard (Author of No One's Coming) | Ep. 230
In Episode 230, Sarah chats with Kevin Hazzard about his new book, No One's Coming , the true story of the daring mission to rescue two Americans infected with Ebola during the 2014 West African outbreak. They discuss the unlikely team behind the unprecedented operation, the challenges of telling a real-life story with the pacing of a thriller, and what Kevin learned about the ordinary people who stepped up when no one else could. Plus, Kevin shares his book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to…
E229 · 8 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Behind the Scenes of Literary Agents with Laura B. McGrath (Author of Middlemen) | Ep. 229
In Episode 229, Sarah talks with Laura B. McGrath about her new book, Middlemen , and the behind-the-scenes role literary agents play in publishing. They discuss what agents actually do, how they shape an author's career, the hype surrounding debut novels, and what Laura learned while researching one of publishing's least visible professions. Plus, Laura shares her book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Middlemen by Laura…
E228 · 24 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Best Books of 2026 So Far with Catherine Gilmore and Chrissie Whitley | Ep. 228
In Episode 228, Sarah, Catherine ( @GilmoreGuide ), and Chrissie ( @ChrissieWhitley ) take stock of the reading year so far, discussing the books, publishing trends, and industry chatter that have defined the first half of 2026. They dive into the biggest publishing stories of the year, the rise of "cozy everything," the continued influence of self-publishing and book-to-screen success stories, and whether it's possible to tap a Book of the Year before the second half of the publishing calendar arrives. Then, they share their Top 5 Books of 2026 So Far and a few disappointing reads that…
E227 · 10 Jun 2026 · 53 min
Behind the Scenes of Book Sales with Brenna Connor | Ep. 227
In Episode 227, Sarah talks with book industry analyst Brenna Connor about the behind-the-scenes world of book sales, bestseller lists, and publishing trends. Brenna shares insight into how sales data is gathered and used across the publishing industry, from tracking pre-orders and audiobooks to measuring the impact of celebrity book clubs and award recognition. They also discuss what makes a book commercially "successful," what current reading trends are revealing about 2026 so far, and what Brenna is watching for in the second half of the year. Plus, Brenna shares her own book…
E226 · 27 May 2026 · 40 min
Summer 2026 Book Preview with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 226
Welcome to the Summer 2026 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! Today, Sarah and Catherine share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in June through mid – August. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book…
E225 · 20 May 2026 · 47 min
Spring 2026 Circle Back with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 225
In Episode 225, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 12 new releases they shared in the Spring 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Get the 2026 Summer Reading Guide This year's Summer Reading Guide is bigger than ever — and now available as a full PDF with in-depth…
E224 · 13 May 2026 · 57 min
2026 Summer Reading Special with Catherine Gilmore and Chrissie Whitley | Ep. 224
In Episode 224, Sarah, Catherine ( @GilmoreGuide ) and Chrissie ( @ChrissieWhitley ) celebrate the release of the 2026 Summer Reading Guide with a special behind-the-scenes conversation about putting this year's guide together. Catherine and Chrissie share what it was like participating in the guide for the first time, from the reading process to narrowing down their final picks, while Sarah talks about how much more fun her spring reading felt with the guide becoming a team effort. Together, they reveal their secret books from the guide, share what's still sitting on their summer TBRs, and…
7 May 2026 · 13 min
IMPORTANT DETAILS: 2026 Summer Reading Guide
May is upon us and that means Summer Reading season is just about here! The 2026 Summer Reading Guide went through a lot of changes this year, so I'm coming to you a bit early to walk through all the details. CLICK HERE for the full Show Notes on the blog. The 2026 Summer Reading Guide is launching this coming Tuesday, May 12! And, our Summer Reading Special podcast episode will air the following day (Weds, May 13). WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR The SRG is now a team project. You'll be getting recommendations from Catherine and Chrissie in addition to me. And, there are a couple books on the…
E223 · 29 Apr 2026 · 49 min
2016 Bookish Time Capsule with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 223
Going back ten years to 2016, Sarah and Catherine Gilmore ( @GilmoreGuide ) dive into the annual Bookish Time Capsule episode and revisit the book world from that year. They cover big bookish highlights — from the buzziest books of the year to the award winners — along with what was happening in the wider world at the time. They also look back at their own reading from 2016, including their favorite releases, and share a quick round-up of listener-submitted favorites. This episode is overflowing with great backlist titles to add to your TBR! This post contains affiliate links through which I…
E222 · 15 Apr 2026 · 55 min
Lee Kelly + Jennifer Thorne (Authors of The Midnight Show) | Ep. 222
In Episode 222, Sarah talks with authors Jennifer Marie Thorne and Lee Kelly about their latest co-written novel, The Midnight Show . Set in the world of 1980s late-night comedy, the book is told in a documentary / oral history format that traces the rise of a breakout star — and the mystery surrounding her disappearance. They talk about how they developed a cast of characters shaped by both real-life comedy figures and their own creative instincts, as well as the challenge of writing sketch comedy that actually lands on the page. They also get into the realities of writing as a duo and the…
E221 · 1 Apr 2026 · 46 min
Spring 2026 Book Preview with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 221
Welcome to the Spring 2026 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in April and May. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements A preview of changes to this year's Summer Reading Guide — now a team effort, with more info to come in a separate episode coming in early May. One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon…
E220 · 25 Mar 2026 · 55 min
Winter 2026 Circle Back with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 220
In Episode 220, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 16 new releases they shared in the Winter 2026 Book Preview , now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just…
E219 · 18 Mar 2026 · 50 min
T Kira Madden (Author of Whidbey) | Ep. 219
In Episode 219, Sarah talks with author T Kira Madden about her debut novel, Whidbey . A dark, atmospheric story that explores the long reach of violence and the lack of recourse many victims face, Whidbey tackles difficult themes including sexual abuse, stalking, and the ways narratives around these crimes are shaped by media and public perception. Sarah and T Kira discuss the inspiration behind the novel, its complex characters, and the themes at the heart of the story. Plus, she shares a bit about what she's working on next and some terrific book recommendations. This post contains…
E218 · 6 Mar 2026 · 50 min
Reading Through the Enneagram with Sarajane Case (Author of The Honest Enneagram) | Ep. 218
In Episode 218, Sarah chats with Enneagram author, speaker, and podcaster Sarajane Case about Reading Through the Enneagram. After a brief introduction to the Enneagram and how it differs from other personality systems, they dive into how Enneagram types show up in our reading lives — from guessing an author's type to rethinking our own habits as readers. Sarajane walks through the nine types, shares a book recommendation for each, and offers her own personal picks. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK…
E217 · 18 Feb 2026 · 45 min
Christine Kuehn (Author of Family of Spies) | Ep. 217
In Episode 217, Sarah chats with author Christine Kuehn about her memoir, Family of Spies , and the thirty-year journey that led her to uncover a long-buried family secret. Christine shares how the story first entered her life, the decades-long research process behind reconstructing her father's past, and what it meant to weave her own discovery into the historical narrative surrounding her family's role in the Pearl Harbor attack. She also offers a glimpse of what she's working on next and shares some of her favorite book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I…
E216 · 4 Feb 2026 · 55 min
Best of Horror with Meredith Monday Schwartz (Currently Reading) | Ep. 216
Episode 216 continues the Best of… series with a deep dive into the horror genre. Meredith Monday Schwartz of the Currently Reading podcast joins the show to discuss her all-time Top Ten favorite horror books, along with a few buzzy titles that didn't quite work for her. Meredith also talks about how she came to the genre and the wide range of reading experiences horror has to offer. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights How Meredith defines…
E215 · 21 Jan 2026 · 55 min
The Best Backlist We Read in 2025 with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 215
In Episode 215, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books share the best backlist books they read in 2025. They discuss their top 5 backlist books from last year, highlight some underrated backlist gems, and review their backlist reading statistics. Devoting an entire episode to backlist reading is both a team and listener favorite annual tradition! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement The Best of the Backlist Guide: Favorite Backlist…
E214 · 7 Jan 2026 · 54 min
Winter 2026 Book Preview with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 214
Welcome to the Winter 2026 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books ! Today, Catherine and Sarah share 16 of their most anticipated books releasing from January through March. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcement The 2026 Reading Tracker is out! This year brings upgraded features across the board — including NEW average star rating and 5-star book tracking for every stat on the Dashboard — plus an updated Lite Tracker for those…
E213 · 10 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Best Books of 2025 Genre Awards with Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) | Ep. 213
In Episode 213, Sarah and Chrissie ( @ChrissieWhitley ) wrap up the year with the Best Books of 2025 Genre Awards. They reveal their Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction) and a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, they share the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah's Bookshelves Live Member Community. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.…
E212 · 3 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Best Books of 2025 Superlatives with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | Ep. 212
In Ep. 212, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books start wrapping up 2025 with the first of the two year-end episodes: Best Books of 2025 Superlatives. In this episode, they share their picks for over 25 superlative categories, including Weirdest 5-Star Read of 2025 , The Book That Made Us Furious , Most Underrated Gem , Too Dark Even for Me , and so much more! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Our best books of the year from over…
E211 · 19 Nov 2025 · 52 min
Fall 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) (Ep. 211)
In Episode 211, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 14 new releases they shared in the Fall 2025 Book Preview , now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why . This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Catherine's success rate bounces back from summer. Sarah's fall reading felt kind of "meh" despite a higher success rate. They also…
E210 · 12 Nov 2025 · 54 min
State of the Publishing Industry in 2025 with Laura McGrath, Author of the textCrunch Substack (Ep. 210)
In Ep. 210, Laura McGrath, author of the popular Substack newsletter, textCrunch , joins Sarah to take a sharp look at the State of the Publishing Industry in 2025. This packed episode covers a high-level look at the top sales and book trends, as well as Laura's insights into the future of the book world for 2026. Also, Laura shares her favorite books of 2025! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Laura McGrath's book Middlemen ( publishing…
E209 · 29 Oct 2025 · 56 min
Ep. 209: 2025 Debuts Special with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley)
In Episode 209, Catherine ( @GilmoreGuide ) and Chrissie ( @ChrissieWhitley ) join Sarah for the 5th annual Debuts Special! They're sharing their reading stats for debuts this year, along with their favorite debuts, new and backlist — so far for 2025. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights How debuts from 2025 compare to those from previous years. A full breakdown of Sarah's, Catherine's, and Chrissie's 2025 debut-related stats. Featured…

About Sarah's Bookshelves Live

Sarah's Bookshelves Live is a English arts & books podcast from Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 53 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1446116424
Rights: Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English arts & books

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.